Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
204. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to have a higher rate of payment under the young farmers scheme 2023-2027 for farmers living on offshore islands to encourage them to engage in farming in some of the most challenging environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/22]
View answerI deeply value the role of our island farmers. They play a key role in supporting our agri-food sector as well as playing a very important role in ensuring a vibrant island life.
The current Young Farmers Scheme commenced in 2015 and is scheduled to operate until the end of 2022. The scheme provides an additional payment to eligible young farmers based on the number of payment entitlements activated in a scheme year, subject to a maximum of 50 entitlements. The rate per activated entitlement is approximately €68 and eligible young farmers can receive payment for a maximum of five years.
In Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan submitted to the EU Commission at the end of December 2021, Ireland has proposed utilising the option to implement the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) under the next CAP from 2023.
The CISYF is the successor scheme to the Young Farmers Scheme and would see a proposed additional payment per hectare made to eligible young farmers, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, for a period of five years. The CISYF envisages 3% of the Direct Payments ceiling allocated in each of the years 2023-2027.
This level of funding would see a significant increase in the level of support to eligible young farmers, moving from the current spend of approximately €11m per year to some €35m annually.
This increase in the level of funding will be of significant benefit to all eligible young farmers throughout Ireland, including those on offshore islands, by providing vital support in the early years immediately following the establishment of the holding to encourage young farmers into the sector.
The proposed support through the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers under the next CAP will be subject to Ireland receiving EU Commission approval for the CAP Strategic Plan.
